The best ways to maintain your sexual and reproductive health are to be more proactive, pay attention to your body, and not ignore even the smallest warning signs when something is wrong. These signs can indicate a more serious issue. People's capacity to reproduce has recently been significantly harmed by unprotected sex with multiple partners and other unhealthy lifestyle choices. Additionally, these actions raise the chance of getting various STDs. One of the many dangers of sexually transmitted diseases is infertility.
To prevent getting a disease in the first place, it is crucial to understand how it operates and be more aware of its risk factors.
The same is true of diseases that are spread through sexual contact. It's critical to get tested if you believe you may have been exposed or are exhibiting its symptoms in order to safeguard both you and your partner.
When a sexually transmitted disease does not exhibit any symptoms, getting tested is once again the only way to determine whether you actually have it. One should actively follow routine testing and screening procedures to prevent getting sick.
Stop smoking
Smoking has an impact on a person's reproductive health in addition to their general health. Smoking has typically been identified as one of the most significant contributing factors in cases of infertility in people.
Quitting smoking can significantly improve your health and even increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Smoking has an impact on a man's sperm count and semen volume. Smoking 10 to 20 cigarettes a day can raise a woman's urinary follicle-stimulating hormone level, which affects the menstrual cycle's regularity and lowers the number of eggs produced. It occasionally also contributes to infertility problems and even the early onset of menopause.
Getting birth control
It's crucial to plan your pregnancies if you want a happy family, a healthy baby, and a healthy mother. Up to 49% of pregnancies occur in the US without prior planning. Contraception options today are incredibly varied, which can influence when you decide to start a family.
IUDs, or intrauterine devices, are a great option for those looking for a long-term solution. These can last for many years, and you can remove them when you decide you want to become pregnant. Other forms of contraception, such as birth control pills and condoms, are available besides IUDs.
Birth control pills offer absolutely no protection against contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Using a condom in that situation would be a wise decision for both partners.
Managing weight
Being overweight or underweight adversely affects a woman's ability to conceive. Males who are overweight tend to have more body fat, which can expose the testicles to intense heat and reduce sperm count. Being overweight or underweight in females affects the ovulation process and ups the chance of miscarriages. Therefore, both males and females need to maintain healthy body weight in order to conceive easily and give birth to a healthy baby.
maintaining your health
Being more proactive and getting regular screenings and checkups are essential for maintaining reproductive health. If detected early enough, some serious conditions like cancers of the prostate, cervix, and uterus can be treated very successfully. Therefore, it's crucial to get regularly checked even if everything seems normal because symptoms can occasionally take a very long time to manifest. If the disease has developed to a much more serious stage, treating it can be very challenging.
Give up drinking
Alcohol consumption can be extremely risky both before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy.
Drinking alcohol while trying to conceive can be a big obstacle, and if they do succeed, there is a higher risk of miscarriages and the baby being born with birth defects. Drinking has a negative impact on both the volume and motility of sperm in males. Women who consume alcohol while expecting run the risk of passing the alcohol to the fetus, which could result in the baby having serious birth defects.
Take care of your relationship.
Searching for a supportive partner is a crucial step you can take to maintain a healthy reproductive system. They shouldn't compel you to engage in behavior that could be harmful to your health.
Consume supplements
Along with abstaining from alcohol and tobacco use and scheduling regular pregnancy tests, couples who are trying to conceive may also benefit from taking certain supplements. Women can regularly take 800 mg of folic acid along with prenatal DHA or omega-3 fatty acids. To lessen the possibility of sperm damage, men can take multivitamins and the antioxidant Coenzyme Q10.
Foods to consume while trying to get pregnant
There are additional actions you can take in addition to these to preserve your reproductive health and prevent infertility. Nutrition is the first step in achieving this; healthy eating and maintaining a healthy weight can really help you safeguard your reproductive health and boost fertility. The following foods will increase fertility:
Whole grains and dietary sources of fiber
People who consume a lot of foods that are highly processed and high in fat, sugar, and refined flour tend to gain weight more quickly. Additionally, the body's excess sugar levels lead to insulin resistance, which has an impact on ovulation, the process that releases one healthy egg each month. This may also affect a woman's ability to become pregnant, so it's important to choose whole-grain foods that are high in dietary fiber rather than refined foods.
clean-cut fruits and vegetables
Eating fruits and vegetables that have not been thoroughly cleaned and have high pesticide concentrations can harm the endocrine system of the body. This has an impact on the body's normal hormone levels, which has an impact on fertility. Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly cleaned before consumption because of this. You can also choose fruits and vegetables that are grown naturally without the use of pesticides.
Fatty acids with omega 3
Both the quality of the egg and the reduction of body inflammation are greatly aided by omega 3 fatty acids. These omega 3 fatty acids can be found in foods like Brussels sprouts, seafood, flax, chia, and nuts. A diet high in mono-saturated fats and full-fat dairy products can lessen the risk of infertility and assist in preventing the malfunction of the ovulation process.
plant-based protein sources
Without enough protein in our diets, we risk developing a number of health problems. The majority of people rely on animal-based foods like red meat and poultry for their protein needs; these foods have higher levels of omega-six fatty acids, which are known to raise blood pressure, cause fluid retention, and cause blood clotting. It is preferable to choose plant-based protein sources in place of these. These consist of quinoa, lentils, tofu, soy milk, soy beans, etc. These are extremely beneficial for lowering the risk of infertility and also aid in ovulatory problems.
To sum up
Even if you are not experiencing any problems, it is crucial to be proactive and undergo routine screenings in order to maintain the health of your reproductive organs. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating more organic and plant-based foods on a regular basis are also important.
